FWIW, we adopted the FDNY load at work about three years ago after we had a committee of firefighters and line officers spend six months deploying different high-rise folds over 300 times. A majority of our uses for the HRP are in mid-rises, and we've found that it works exceptionally well narrow stairways or stairwells without a center well.

The picture is of a hi-rise pack with the butts ending on the top of the load, not in the middle as shown in the FDNY SOP's.

I have used, and liked the style of load in the photograph. If the left strap was moved slightly inward, the sections can be set down and coupled while still bundled together. This load is used by some engine companies within the FDNY. There was an article in WNYF describing the load and showing how to make it. I think it was a 2005 or 2006 edition. You may be able to get a back issue. Google WNYF and you should be able to get contact info.

You are referencing old books. The current fold might have only been in a WNYF article.

The current FDNY rollup fold is the same as the picture in the original post.

Here's the simple instructions:

Fold the hose in half, so the couplings are touching.
keep folding the hose in half on top of itself until your rollup looks like the picture.
Secure it with an ems strap or helmet rubber (go with the ems buckle)

Pros over the old FDNY rollup -
you can connect all the lengths together without detaching the buckles
After connecting, the nozzle man can take his whole rollup like a length off the backstep
In line gauge and nozzle can be attached all the time
EASY to fold.